East Timor Press Review 25 October 2002

· Suara Timor Lorosae’s front page reads: President Xanana Gusmão defended Wednesday the dynamic of a national reconciliation process rather than establishing an international court. The President said, “There are talks about an international court but for whom? For Timorese people? If that is the case, then I’ll be the first one to disagree.” Mr. Gusmão made these comments during a 90-minute speech at the National Parliament.

· STL reported that UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Timor-Leste, Kamalesh Sharma marked UN Day in Dili by saying that this year’s celebration is historic for Timor-Leste because it had become a member of UN. “ The UN Secretary General, his Excellency, Mr. Koffi Annan sends his special greetings to the people of Timor-Leste who have just become the newest member of the organization. ”, said Mr. Sharma. The Special Representative also said that all Timorese should be proud of this Day because the country had found a place among the international community.

· STL also reported on President Gusmão’s speech on this Day event celebration at Hotel Timor as saying, “I will always talk about the reconciliation process, justice and amnesty because up to now all efforts have put on this were unsuccessful.”

· Chief of Becora Prison, Carlos Freitas Sarmento said that 16 prisoners who fled the compound during the prison riot are still at large. Mr. Sarmento spoke to STL after a training workshop for Timor-Leste prison staff including 8 new recruits. Malaysian prisoner officers have provided the training.

· Member of Parliament, Rui Menezes (PD) said the agreement on Timor Sea is likely to be finalized because Timor-Leste and Australia signed an agreement on May 20 about the exploration of Timor Sea. Mr. Menezes noted that the Prime Minister has yet to address the Parliament on the treaty.

· Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, Armindo Maia stated that he is not aware of Timorese working in Ireland as well as those studying in that country.

· Timor Post’s front page reported on SRSG’s statement yesterday during UN Day celebration in Dili.

· TP quoted Head of Indonesian Mission in Timor-Leste, Kristio Wahyono as saying that Indonesia government is likely to pay former Indonesian pensioners and civil servants because the special fund established by UN is not enough.

· Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, José Ramos-Horta stressed that he disagreed with criticisms made by Bishop Belo that this country’s leaders spend more time travelling, and not focusing on the needs of the people. Mr. Ramos-Horta said, “ is the bishop aware of all ministers’ schedules? I don’t know about my cabinet colleagues’ schedules. I travel overseas a lot, so I must confess my sins to the bishop.”

· Timor Post reported that President Gusmão will open a dialogue between various martial arts groups in Timor-Leste this morning in the former UNAMET and CNRT compound. Chief of Staff of President’s Office, Agio Pereira informed that the dialogue would focus on problems between different groups in villages throughout the country and Dili, the capital.

· It is reported that a court case involving conflicts between two martial art groups on 28 May which left a 26-yearl old man dead is still pending because it needs three panel judges to proceed with the case.

· Timor Post reported that President Xanana Gusmão will make an official visit to Kupang, West Timor to talk about the reconciliation process. He is scheduled to also meet with former pro-autonomy leaders , João Tavares and Sera Malik in the town of Atambua.

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